EP3260529A1 - Incubator - Google Patents
Incubator Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3260529A1 EP3260529A1 EP16772220.6A EP16772220A EP3260529A1 EP 3260529 A1 EP3260529 A1 EP 3260529A1 EP 16772220 A EP16772220 A EP 16772220A EP 3260529 A1 EP3260529 A1 EP 3260529A1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- electric power
- power supplied
- heating
- unit
- incubator
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 86
- 238000011534 incubation Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 64
- 238000009833 condensation Methods 0.000 description 9
- 230000005494 condensation Effects 0.000 description 9
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 7
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000011810 insulating material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 2
- 241000894006 Bacteria Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000008236 heating water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 244000005700 microbiome Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000003252 repetitive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009834 vaporization Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008016 vaporization Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
- C12M41/00—Means for regulation, monitoring, measurement or control, e.g. flow regulation
- C12M41/12—Means for regulation, monitoring, measurement or control, e.g. flow regulation of temperature
- C12M41/14—Incubators; Climatic chambers
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
- C12M23/00—Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges
- C12M23/02—Form or structure of the vessel
- C12M23/04—Flat or tray type, drawers
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
- C12M41/00—Means for regulation, monitoring, measurement or control, e.g. flow regulation
- C12M41/30—Means for regulation, monitoring, measurement or control, e.g. flow regulation of concentration
- C12M41/34—Means for regulation, monitoring, measurement or control, e.g. flow regulation of concentration of gas
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
- C12M41/00—Means for regulation, monitoring, measurement or control, e.g. flow regulation
- C12M41/48—Automatic or computerized control
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to an incubator.
- incubators for cultivation of cells and microorganisms and so on, in incubation chambers have been known.
- Such an incubator comprises a heater for heating the inside of the incubation chamber where a humidification pan is placed, and, by controlling the heater, the inside of the incubation chamber may be maintained at a predetermined temperature (37 degrees C, for example) and also at predetermined humidity (95%RH, for example) based on the predetermined temperature, for example.
- an incubator that includes a heating element for heating water stored in a recess formed on the bottom face, a heating element for heating the inside of the incubation chamber except for the recess, and a heating element provided on an insulated door, which is openably and closably attached to the insulated box body, and, by controlling electric power supplied to the three heating elements so as to maintain the temperature of the water in the recess lower than the temperature in the incubation chamber, supersaturated content of water within the incubation chamber is returned to the recess, thereby preventing dew condensation (see Patent Document 1).
- This incubator also comprises a temperature detection device for detecting a temperature within the incubation chamber and is configured to control each of the multiple heating elements based on the detection result of the temperature detection device.
- Patent Document 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 5-227942
- temperatures within the incubation chamber are not necessarily uniform. Accordingly, even when the temperature near the temperature detection device stands at a desired value, the temperature of a partial region in the incubation chamber may be relatively lower than the temperature therearound. In this case, dew condensation may be caused on the wall surface in the region of which the temperature is relatively lower than the temperature therearound. The dew condensation may cause the problem of growth of unwanted bacteria in the condensed water, which negatively affects the cultures.
- the present invention is made in view of such a situation, and a purpose thereof is to provide a new technique for preventing dew condensation in an incubator.
- an incubator of an embodiment of the present invention includes: an insulated box including an incubation space surrounded by multiple inner faces; a humidifying unit that humidifies an incubation space; a first heating unit that heats a first inner face among the multiple inner faces, with electric power supplied; a second heating unit that heats a second inner face, different from the first inner face, with electric power supplied; and a control unit that controls the magnitude of electric power supplied to each of the first heating unit and the second heating unit.
- the control unit repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to the first heating unit at first timing, and also repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to the second heating unit at second timing different from the first timing.
- the present invention prevents dew condensation in an incubator.
- Fig. 1 is a perspective view that shows a schematic configuration of an incubator according to an embodiment.
- Fig. 1 shows the state where an insulated door of the incubator is open.
- Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the incubator according to the embodiment.
- an incubator 1 comprises a left opening door (more specifically, an outer door and an inner door) and small doors, which are hinged double doors.
- the transparent door 3 is openably and closably hinged to the insulated box body 2 on the left side and hermetically covers the opening 2A with a gasket 2B provided as a seal member on the frontage of the incubation chamber 4.
- the interior of the incubation chamber 4 is horizontally partitioned by multiple shelves 5 (partitioned into five by four shelves in this example).
- the incubator 1 is used as a CO 2 incubator, for example, the CO 2 concentration is often set and maintained at about 5%, so that, after the door is closed, CO 2 gas is supplied into the incubation chamber 4 for CO 2 concentration control.
- multiple pairs of small doors 6A and 6B which are hinged double doors, are provided for the respective sections (five pairs in this example) inside the transparent door 3 so that outside air is not introduced into the whole incubation chamber 4 partitioned into multiple sections even when the transparent door 3 is opened.
- An insulated door 7 is openably and closably hinged to the insulated box body 2 and functions as an outer door to prevent heat from entering through the opening 2A of the incubation chamber 4, and a gasket 8 containing a magnet is provided along the circumference on the back side of the insulated door 7.
- a duct 11 On the back face and the bottom face of the incubation chamber 4 is provided a duct 11, which consists of a back duct 11A and a bottom duct 11B that each include a space for forming a gas passage K.
- forced gas circulation is performed, in which gas within the incubation chamber 4 is suctioned through a suctioning port 12, formed above the back duct 11A, and then expelled through an expulsion port 13, provided on the right and left sides and the front side of the bottom duct 11B, into the incubation chamber 4.
- a circulation blower 14 is provided for the forced gas circulation.
- the circulation blower 14 comprises a fan, a motor, and a shaft; the motor is disposed in a machine chamber 19 provided outside and on the back face of the incubation chamber 4, as described later, and the shaft extends from the motor in the machine chamber 19 to the gas passage K, piercing the back face of the insulated box body 2, to be connected to the fan.
- a humidification pan 15 for storing water for humidification (i.e., humidifying water) 16 is placed and heated by a heater provided outside and on the bottom face of an inner box 22 made of metal, such as stainless steel, so that the water is evaporated.
- a heater provided outside and on the bottom face of an inner box 22 made of metal, such as stainless steel, so that the water is evaporated.
- the machine chamber 19 On the back face of an outer box 21 of the insulated box body 2, the machine chamber 19 is provided in which the motor as a driving means of the circulation blower 14, a gas supplying means 17 for supplying CO 2 gas to the incubation chamber 4, and electrical components, such as a control substrate, not illustrated, are disposed.
- the gas supplying means 17 comprises a gas supply pipe 17A, an on-off valve 17B, and a filter 17C, and the tip of the gas supply pipe 17A is positioned within the gas passage K.
- a jet of CO 2 gas supplied through the gas supply pipe 17A can be provided.
- the insulated box body 2 comprises the outer box 21 made of metal, the inner box 22 made of stainless steel, an insulating material 24 provided between the outer box 21 and the inner box 22 and on the inner surfaces of the outer box 21, and an air layer (so-called an air jacket) 25 provided inside the insulating material 24.
- an air layer (so-called an air jacket) 25 provided inside the insulating material 24.
- heaters for heating the incubation chamber are provided as heating units (which will be described later). Heaters may also be provided on the transparent door 3 and the insulated door 7 covering the opening 2A of the incubation chamber 4.
- Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram for describing heating units in the incubator. Illustrations of members unnecessary for the description are appropriately omitted.
- the incubation chamber 4 in the aforementioned incubator 1 includes an incubation space of a rectangular parallelepiped shape surrounded by six inner faces.
- six heaters 26A-26F are provided as heating units for heating the respective six inner faces.
- the heater 26A is pasted over the outer surface of the inner face of the insulated door 7.
- the heater 26B is pasted over the outer surface of the top board of the insulated box body 2.
- the heater 26C is pasted over the outer surface of the right side of the insulated box body 2.
- the heater 26D is pasted over the outer surface of the bottom face of the insulated box body 2.
- the heater 26E is pasted over the outer surface of the left side.
- the heater 26F is pasted over the outer surface of the back face of the insulated box body 2.
- Fig. 4 is a block diagram that shows a configuration of a control unit that controls the heating units.
- Fig. 5 is a timing chart that shows variation of the magnitude of electric power supplied to each of the heating units according to the first embodiment.
- the incubator 1 of the first embodiment comprises: the insulated box body 2 including the incubation chamber 4 as an incubation space surrounded by multiple inner faces; the humidification pan 15 as a humidifying unit that humidifies the inside of the incubation chamber 4; the heaters 26A-26F that heat the respective multiple inner faces of the incubation chamber 4 with electric power supplied; a power supply unit 28 that supplies electric power; and a control unit 30 that controls the magnitude of electric power supplied to each of the heaters.
- the control unit 30 repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to the heater 26A at timing t1 (period T), repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to the heater 26B at timing t2 (period T), repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to the heater 26C at timing t3 (period T), repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to the heater 26D at timing t4 (period T), repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to the heater 26E at timing t5 (period T), and repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to the heater 26F at timing t6 (period T).
- the timing t1-t6 is different from each other.
- the period T of the repetitive change of electric power may not necessarily be the same for all the heaters.
- a period T' of part of the heaters may be made different from the period T of the other heaters.
- the period T of a heater may not necessarily be always the same. For example, after electric power is changed with a period T1, it may be changed with a period T2 (T2#T1) and then changed with the period T1 again.
- changing the magnitude of electric power means changing the state between that where electric power is not supplied (OFF) and that where a predetermined amount of electric power is supplied (ON); however, it is not limited to such changing. For example, it may be changing the state between that where a first amount (greater than zero) of electric power is supplied and that where a second amount, greater than the first amount, of electric power is supplied.
- the temperatures of the multiple inner faces forming the incubation chamber 4 are not necessarily completely uniform. Accordingly, if there is a part having a relatively low temperature in a certain region within the multiple inner faces for a long time, dew condensation may be caused in the region.
- the state of heating by each heater can be repeatedly changed at different timing on each of the multiple inner faces of the incubation chamber 4 forming an incubation space, thereby preventing the situation where a part having a relatively low temperature continuously exists in a certain region for a long time. Consequently, dew condensation can be prevented.
- Fig. 6 is a timing chart that shows variation of the magnitude of electric power supplied to each of the heating units according to a second embodiment.
- the control unit 30 repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to the heaters 26A and 26F at timing t1 (period T), repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to the heaters 26B and 26D at timing t2 (period T), and repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to the heaters 26C and 26E at timing t3 (period T).
- the multiple heaters may be configured as a single heater.
- the heaters 26B and 26D, or the heaters 26C and 26E may be configured as one heater.
- Fig. 7 is a timing chart that shows variation of the magnitude of electric power supplied to each of the heating units according to a third embodiment.
- the control unit 30 repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to the heaters 26A, 26D, and 26F at timing t1 (period T), and repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to the heaters 26B, 26C, and 26D at timing t2 (period T).
- the multiple heaters may be configured as a single heater.
- the heaters 26D and 26F, or the heaters 26B, 26C, and 26D may be configured as one heater.
- Fig. 8 is a timing chart that shows variation of the magnitude of electric power supplied to each of the heating units according to a fourth embodiment.
- the control unit 30 repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to the heater 26A at timing t1 (period T), repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to the heater 26B at timing t2 (period T), repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to the heater 26C at timing t3 (period T), repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to the heater 26D at timing t41-t43 (period T), repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to the heater 26E at timing t5 (period T), and repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to the heater 26F at timing t6 (period T).
- control unit provides control so that electric power supplied to the heater 26D per unit time is greater than electric power supplied to each of the other heaters per unit time. This prevents dew condensation near the bottom face, where a temperature drop is more likely to occur because of heat consumption due to vaporization of water in the humidification pan 15 and a natural temperature gradient, by heating the bottom face more than the other inner faces.
- Fig. 9 is a timing chart that shows variation of the magnitude of electric power supplied to each of the heating units according to a fifth embodiment.
- the control unit 30 provides control so that electric power supplied to the heater 26B per unit time is less than electric power supplied to each of the other heaters per unit time. Accordingly, heating near the top board, where the temperature tends to rise, can be restrained, so that the temperatures within the incubation space can be made more uniform.
- the incubator set forth above can also be expressed as follows. Namely, the incubator 1 comprises: the insulated box body 2 including the incubation chamber 4 surrounded by multiple inner faces; the humidification pan 15 that humidifies the incubation chamber 4; the multiple heaters 26A-26F that heat the multiple inner faces; and the control unit 30 that controls the magnitude of electric power supplied to each of the multiple heaters 26A-26F.
- the control unit 30 controls electric power supplied to each of the multiple heaters 26A-26F so as to repeatedly change the temperature distribution on the multiple inner faces at predetermined timing.
- the incubator 1 repeatedly changes the temperature distribution on the multiple inner faces forming the incubation chamber 4 at predetermined timing, thereby preventing the situation where a part having a relatively low temperature continuously exists in a certain region for a long time. Consequently, dew condensation can be prevented.
- the incubator 1 may be an incubator connected to another device, such as an isolator, or may be configured as a system including an isolator.
- the incubator 1 includes the heaters 26A-26F for heating the respective six inner faces surrounding the incubation space as heating units controlled to be repeatedly changed at predetermined timing
- the number and the arrangement of the heaters are not limited to those described in the embodiments.
- the number of the heaters may be at least two, and, with regard to the arrangement of the heaters, the six faces may not necessarily be sectioned for each inner face; for example, the inner box 22 may be sectioned vertically or horizontally, and two heaters for heating the respective sectioned regions may be provided.
- the inner box 22 may be sectioned into regions that include the respective corners. In this way, the multiple inner faces surrounding the incubation space may be sectioned into at least two regions, and the heating units controlled to be repeatedly changed at predetermined timing may be provided to heat the respective regions.
- the present invention is applicable to incubators.
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Abstract
Description
- The present disclosure relates to an incubator.
- Conventionally, incubators for cultivation of cells and microorganisms and so on, in incubation chambers have been known. Such an incubator comprises a heater for heating the inside of the incubation chamber where a humidification pan is placed, and, by controlling the heater, the inside of the incubation chamber may be maintained at a predetermined temperature (37 degrees C, for example) and also at predetermined humidity (95%RH, for example) based on the predetermined temperature, for example.
- Also, there has been disclosed, for example, an incubator that includes a heating element for heating water stored in a recess formed on the bottom face, a heating element for heating the inside of the incubation chamber except for the recess, and a heating element provided on an insulated door, which is openably and closably attached to the insulated box body, and, by controlling electric power supplied to the three heating elements so as to maintain the temperature of the water in the recess lower than the temperature in the incubation chamber, supersaturated content of water within the incubation chamber is returned to the recess, thereby preventing dew condensation (see Patent Document 1). This incubator also comprises a temperature detection device for detecting a temperature within the incubation chamber and is configured to control each of the multiple heating elements based on the detection result of the temperature detection device.
- [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
5-227942 - However, temperatures within the incubation chamber are not necessarily uniform. Accordingly, even when the temperature near the temperature detection device stands at a desired value, the temperature of a partial region in the incubation chamber may be relatively lower than the temperature therearound. In this case, dew condensation may be caused on the wall surface in the region of which the temperature is relatively lower than the temperature therearound. The dew condensation may cause the problem of growth of unwanted bacteria in the condensed water, which negatively affects the cultures.
- The present invention is made in view of such a situation, and a purpose thereof is to provide a new technique for preventing dew condensation in an incubator.
- To solve the problem above, an incubator of an embodiment of the present invention includes: an insulated box including an incubation space surrounded by multiple inner faces; a humidifying unit that humidifies an incubation space; a first heating unit that heats a first inner face among the multiple inner faces, with electric power supplied; a second heating unit that heats a second inner face, different from the first inner face, with electric power supplied; and a control unit that controls the magnitude of electric power supplied to each of the first heating unit and the second heating unit. The control unit repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to the first heating unit at first timing, and also repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to the second heating unit at second timing different from the first timing.
- The present invention prevents dew condensation in an incubator.
-
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Fig. 1 is a perspective view that shows a schematic configuration of an incubator according to an embodiment; -
Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the incubator according to the embodiment; -
Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram for describing heating units in the incubator; -
Fig. 4 is a block diagram that shows a configuration of a control unit that controls the heating units; -
Fig. 5 is a timing chart that shows variation of the magnitude of electric power supplied to each of the heating units according to a first embodiment; -
Fig. 6 is a timing chart that shows variation of the magnitude of electric power supplied to each of the heating units according to a second embodiment; -
Fig. 7 is a timing chart that shows variation of the magnitude of electric power supplied to each of the heating units according to a third embodiment; -
Fig. 8 is a timing chart that shows variation of the magnitude of electric power supplied to each of the heating units according to a fourth embodiment; and -
Fig. 9 is a timing chart that shows variation of the magnitude of electric power supplied to each of the heating units according to a fifth embodiment. - In the following, the present invention will be described based on suitable embodiments with reference to the drawings. Like reference characters designate like or corresponding elements, members and processes throughout the views. The description of them will not be repeated for brevity. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims. It should be understood that not all of the features and the combination thereof discussed are essential to the invention.
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Fig. 1 is a perspective view that shows a schematic configuration of an incubator according to an embodiment.Fig. 1 shows the state where an insulated door of the incubator is open.Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the incubator according to the embodiment. - As shown in
Figs. 1 and2 , anincubator 1 comprises a left opening door (more specifically, an outer door and an inner door) and small doors, which are hinged double doors. In theincubator 1, a space surrounded by aninsulated box body 2, which includes an opening 2A on the front side, and atransparent door 3, which is an inner door openably and closably covering the opening 2A, is formed as anincubation chamber 4. Thetransparent door 3 is openably and closably hinged to the insulatedbox body 2 on the left side and hermetically covers the opening 2A with agasket 2B provided as a seal member on the frontage of theincubation chamber 4. - The interior of the
incubation chamber 4 is horizontally partitioned by multiple shelves 5 (partitioned into five by four shelves in this example). When theincubator 1 is used as a CO2 incubator, for example, the CO2 concentration is often set and maintained at about 5%, so that, after the door is closed, CO2 gas is supplied into theincubation chamber 4 for CO2 concentration control. Accordingly, multiple pairs ofsmall doors transparent door 3 so that outside air is not introduced into thewhole incubation chamber 4 partitioned into multiple sections even when thetransparent door 3 is opened. An insulateddoor 7 is openably and closably hinged to the insulatedbox body 2 and functions as an outer door to prevent heat from entering through the opening 2A of theincubation chamber 4, and agasket 8 containing a magnet is provided along the circumference on the back side of the insulateddoor 7. - On the back face and the bottom face of the
incubation chamber 4 is provided aduct 11, which consists of aback duct 11A and abottom duct 11B that each include a space for forming a gas passage K. In theincubation chamber 4, forced gas circulation is performed, in which gas within theincubation chamber 4 is suctioned through asuctioning port 12, formed above theback duct 11A, and then expelled through anexpulsion port 13, provided on the right and left sides and the front side of thebottom duct 11B, into theincubation chamber 4. Within the duct 11 (an upper part inFig. 2 ), acirculation blower 14 is provided for the forced gas circulation. Thecirculation blower 14 comprises a fan, a motor, and a shaft; the motor is disposed in amachine chamber 19 provided outside and on the back face of theincubation chamber 4, as described later, and the shaft extends from the motor in themachine chamber 19 to the gas passage K, piercing the back face of the insulatedbox body 2, to be connected to the fan. - Within the
duct 11 and on the bottom face of theincubation chamber 4, ahumidification pan 15 for storing water for humidification (i.e., humidifying water) 16 is placed and heated by a heater provided outside and on the bottom face of aninner box 22 made of metal, such as stainless steel, so that the water is evaporated. By disposing thehumidification pan 15 within theduct 11 and on the bottom face of theincubation chamber 4, humidified gas can be efficiently expelled through the gas passage K, formed by thecirculation blower 14 and theduct 11, into theincubation chamber 4. - On the back face of an
outer box 21 of the insulatedbox body 2, themachine chamber 19 is provided in which the motor as a driving means of thecirculation blower 14, a gas supplying means 17 for supplying CO2 gas to theincubation chamber 4, and electrical components, such as a control substrate, not illustrated, are disposed. - The gas supplying means 17 comprises a
gas supply pipe 17A, an on-offvalve 17B, and afilter 17C, and the tip of thegas supply pipe 17A is positioned within the gas passage K. In order to control the gas concentration in theincubation chamber 4, a jet of CO2 gas supplied through thegas supply pipe 17A can be provided. - The insulated
box body 2 comprises theouter box 21 made of metal, theinner box 22 made of stainless steel, aninsulating material 24 provided between theouter box 21 and theinner box 22 and on the inner surfaces of theouter box 21, and an air layer (so-called an air jacket) 25 provided inside theinsulating material 24. On the left and right sides, bottom face, top face, and back face of theinner box 22, forming theincubation chamber 4, heaters for heating the incubation chamber are provided as heating units (which will be described later). Heaters may also be provided on thetransparent door 3 and the insulateddoor 7 covering the opening 2A of theincubation chamber 4. -
Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram for describing heating units in the incubator. Illustrations of members unnecessary for the description are appropriately omitted. Theincubation chamber 4 in theaforementioned incubator 1 includes an incubation space of a rectangular parallelepiped shape surrounded by six inner faces. In theincubator 1, sixheaters 26A-26F are provided as heating units for heating the respective six inner faces. - The
heater 26A is pasted over the outer surface of the inner face of the insulateddoor 7. Theheater 26B is pasted over the outer surface of the top board of theinsulated box body 2. Theheater 26C is pasted over the outer surface of the right side of theinsulated box body 2. Theheater 26D is pasted over the outer surface of the bottom face of theinsulated box body 2. Theheater 26E is pasted over the outer surface of the left side. Theheater 26F is pasted over the outer surface of the back face of theinsulated box body 2. -
Fig. 4 is a block diagram that shows a configuration of a control unit that controls the heating units.Fig. 5 is a timing chart that shows variation of the magnitude of electric power supplied to each of the heating units according to the first embodiment. - The
incubator 1 of the first embodiment comprises: theinsulated box body 2 including theincubation chamber 4 as an incubation space surrounded by multiple inner faces; thehumidification pan 15 as a humidifying unit that humidifies the inside of theincubation chamber 4; theheaters 26A-26F that heat the respective multiple inner faces of theincubation chamber 4 with electric power supplied; apower supply unit 28 that supplies electric power; and acontrol unit 30 that controls the magnitude of electric power supplied to each of the heaters. - The
control unit 30 repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to theheater 26A at timing t1 (period T), repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to theheater 26B at timing t2 (period T), repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to theheater 26C at timing t3 (period T), repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to theheater 26D at timing t4 (period T), repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to theheater 26E at timing t5 (period T), and repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to theheater 26F at timing t6 (period T). - The timing t1-t6 is different from each other. Also, the period T of the repetitive change of electric power may not necessarily be the same for all the heaters. For example, a period T' of part of the heaters may be made different from the period T of the other heaters. Further, the period T of a heater may not necessarily be always the same. For example, after electric power is changed with a period T1, it may be changed with a period T2 (T2#T1) and then changed with the period T1 again.
- In the first embodiment, changing the magnitude of electric power means changing the state between that where electric power is not supplied (OFF) and that where a predetermined amount of electric power is supplied (ON); however, it is not limited to such changing. For example, it may be changing the state between that where a first amount (greater than zero) of electric power is supplied and that where a second amount, greater than the first amount, of electric power is supplied.
- Even though each of the temperature and humidity, detected by a sensor or the like, in a region of the
incubation chamber 4 stands at a value within a desired range and electric power is stably supplied to each of theheaters 26A-26F, the temperatures of the multiple inner faces forming theincubation chamber 4 are not necessarily completely uniform. Accordingly, if there is a part having a relatively low temperature in a certain region within the multiple inner faces for a long time, dew condensation may be caused in the region. In theincubator 1 according to the present embodiment, however, the state of heating by each heater can be repeatedly changed at different timing on each of the multiple inner faces of theincubation chamber 4 forming an incubation space, thereby preventing the situation where a part having a relatively low temperature continuously exists in a certain region for a long time. Consequently, dew condensation can be prevented. -
Fig. 6 is a timing chart that shows variation of the magnitude of electric power supplied to each of the heating units according to a second embodiment. - The
control unit 30 according to the second embodiment repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to theheaters heaters heaters heaters heaters -
Fig. 7 is a timing chart that shows variation of the magnitude of electric power supplied to each of the heating units according to a third embodiment. - The
control unit 30 according to the third embodiment repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to theheaters heaters heaters heaters -
Fig. 8 is a timing chart that shows variation of the magnitude of electric power supplied to each of the heating units according to a fourth embodiment. - As shown in
Fig. 2 , thehumidification pan 15 is disposed near the bottom face of theincubation chamber 4. Therefore, thecontrol unit 30 according to the fourth embodiment repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to theheater 26A at timing t1 (period T), repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to theheater 26B at timing t2 (period T), repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to theheater 26C at timing t3 (period T), repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to theheater 26D at timing t41-t43 (period T), repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to theheater 26E at timing t5 (period T), and repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to theheater 26F at timing t6 (period T). - Namely, the control unit provides control so that electric power supplied to the
heater 26D per unit time is greater than electric power supplied to each of the other heaters per unit time. This prevents dew condensation near the bottom face, where a temperature drop is more likely to occur because of heat consumption due to vaporization of water in thehumidification pan 15 and a natural temperature gradient, by heating the bottom face more than the other inner faces. -
Fig. 9 is a timing chart that shows variation of the magnitude of electric power supplied to each of the heating units according to a fifth embodiment. - The
control unit 30 according to the fifth embodiment provides control so that electric power supplied to theheater 26B per unit time is less than electric power supplied to each of the other heaters per unit time. Accordingly, heating near the top board, where the temperature tends to rise, can be restrained, so that the temperatures within the incubation space can be made more uniform. - The incubator set forth above can also be expressed as follows. Namely, the
incubator 1 comprises: theinsulated box body 2 including theincubation chamber 4 surrounded by multiple inner faces; thehumidification pan 15 that humidifies theincubation chamber 4; themultiple heaters 26A-26F that heat the multiple inner faces; and thecontrol unit 30 that controls the magnitude of electric power supplied to each of themultiple heaters 26A-26F. Thecontrol unit 30 controls electric power supplied to each of themultiple heaters 26A-26F so as to repeatedly change the temperature distribution on the multiple inner faces at predetermined timing. - Namely, the
incubator 1 according to each of the aforementioned embodiments repeatedly changes the temperature distribution on the multiple inner faces forming theincubation chamber 4 at predetermined timing, thereby preventing the situation where a part having a relatively low temperature continuously exists in a certain region for a long time. Consequently, dew condensation can be prevented. - The
incubator 1 may be an incubator connected to another device, such as an isolator, or may be configured as a system including an isolator. Although theincubator 1 includes theheaters 26A-26F for heating the respective six inner faces surrounding the incubation space as heating units controlled to be repeatedly changed at predetermined timing, the number and the arrangement of the heaters are not limited to those described in the embodiments. The number of the heaters may be at least two, and, with regard to the arrangement of the heaters, the six faces may not necessarily be sectioned for each inner face; for example, theinner box 22 may be sectioned vertically or horizontally, and two heaters for heating the respective sectioned regions may be provided. Also, theinner box 22 may be sectioned into regions that include the respective corners. In this way, the multiple inner faces surrounding the incubation space may be sectioned into at least two regions, and the heating units controlled to be repeatedly changed at predetermined timing may be provided to heat the respective regions. - The present invention has been described with reference to each of the aforementioned embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and also includes a form resulting from appropriate combination or replacement of the configurations in the embodiments. It is also to be understood that appropriate changes of the combination or the order of processes in the embodiments or various modifications, including design modifications, may be made based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art and that such changes and modifications also fall within the scope of the present invention.
-
- 1
- incubator
- 2
- insulated box body
- 2A
- opening
- 2B
- gasket
- 3
- transparent door
- 4
- incubation chamber
- 5
- shelves
- 6A
- small door
- 7
- insulated door
- 8
- gasket
- 11
- duct
- 12
- suctioning port
- 13
- expulsion port
- 14
- circulation blower
- 15
- humidification pan
- 17
- gas supplying means
- 19
- machine chamber
- 21
- outer box
- 22
- inner box
- 24
- insulating material
- 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D, 26E, 26F
- heaters
- 28
- power supply unit
- 30
- control unit
- The present invention is applicable to incubators.
Claims (16)
- An incubator, comprising:an insulated box including an incubation space surrounded by a plurality of inner faces;a humidifying unit that humidifies an incubation space;a first heating unit that heats a first inner face among the plurality of inner faces, with electric power supplied;a second heating unit that heats a second inner face, different from the first inner face, with electric power supplied; anda control unit that controls the magnitude of electric power supplied to each of the first heating unit and the second heating unit, wherein:the control unit repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to the first heating unit at first timing; andthe control unit also repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to the second heating unit at second timing different from the first timing.
- The incubator of claim 1, wherein:the first inner face constitutes a bottom face of an incubation space;the humidifying unit is provided near the bottom face; andthe control unit provides control so that electric power supplied to the first heating unit per unit time is greater than electric power supplied to the second heating unit per unit time.
- The incubator of claim 1, wherein:the first inner face constitutes a top board of an incubation space; andthe control unit provides control so that electric power supplied to the first heating unit per unit time is less than electric power supplied to the second heating unit per unit time.
- The incubator of claim 1, further comprising a third heating unit that heats a third inner face, different from the first and second inner faces, among the plurality of inner faces, with electric power supplied, wherein
the control unit also controls the magnitude of electric power supplied to the third heating unit, and repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to the third heating unit at third timing different from the first and second timing. - The incubator of claim 4, wherein:the first inner face constitutes a bottom face of an incubation space;the humidifying unit is provided near the bottom face; andthe control unit provides control so that electric power supplied to the first heating unit per unit time is greater than electric power supplied to each of the second and third heating units per unit time.
- The incubator of claim 4, wherein:the first inner face constitutes a top board of an incubation space; andthe control unit provides control so that electric power supplied to the first heating unit per unit time is less than electric power supplied to each of the second and third heating units per unit time.
- The incubator of claim 4, further comprising a fourth heating unit that heats a fourth inner face, different from the first through third inner faces, among the plurality of inner faces, with electric power supplied, wherein
the control unit also controls the magnitude of electric power supplied to the fourth heating unit, and repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to the fourth heating unit at fourth timing different from the first through third timing. - The incubator of claim 7, wherein:the first inner face constitutes a bottom face of an incubation space;the humidifying unit is provided near the bottom face; andthe control unit provides control so that electric power supplied to the first heating unit per unit time is greater than electric power supplied to each of the second through fourth heating units per unit time.
- The incubator of claim 7, wherein:the first inner face constitutes a top board of an incubation space; andthe control unit provides control so that electric power supplied to the first heating unit per unit time is less than electric power supplied to each of the second through fourth heating units per unit time.
- The incubator of claim 7, further comprising a fifth heating unit that heats a fifth inner face, different from the first through fourth inner faces, among the plurality of inner faces, with electric power supplied, wherein
the control unit also controls the magnitude of electric power supplied to the fifth heating unit, and repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to the fifth heating unit at fifth timing different from the first through fourth timing. - The incubator of claim 10, wherein:the first inner face constitutes a bottom face of an incubation space;the humidifying unit is provided near the bottom face; andthe control unit provides control so that electric power supplied to the first heating unit per unit time is greater than electric power supplied to each of the second through fifth heating units per unit time.
- The incubator of claim 10, wherein:the first inner face constitutes a top board of an incubation space; andthe control unit provides control so that electric power supplied to the first heating unit per unit time is less than electric power supplied to each of the second through fifth heating units per unit time.
- The incubator of claim 10, further comprising a sixth heating unit that heats a sixth inner face, different from the first through fifth inner faces, among the plurality of inner faces, with electric power supplied, wherein
the control unit also controls the magnitude of electric power supplied to the sixth heating unit, and repeatedly changes the magnitude of electric power supplied to the sixth heating unit at sixth timing different from the first through fifth timing. - The incubator of claim 13, wherein:the first inner face constitutes a bottom face of an incubation space;the humidifying unit is provided near the bottom face; andthe control unit provides control so that electric power supplied to the first heating unit per unit time is greater than electric power supplied to each of the second through sixth heating units per unit time.
- The incubator of claim 13, wherein:the first inner face constitutes a top board of an incubation space; andthe control unit provides control so that electric power supplied to the first heating unit per unit time is less than electric power supplied to each of the second through sixth heating units per unit time.
- An incubator, comprising:an insulated box including an incubation space surrounded by a plurality of inner faces;a humidifying unit that humidifies an incubation space;a plurality of heating units that heat the plurality of inner faces; anda control unit that controls the magnitude of electric power supplied to each of the plurality of heating units, whereinthe control unit controls electric power supplied to each of the plurality of heating units so as to repeatedly change the temperature distribution on the plurality of inner faces at predetermined timing.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2015069862 | 2015-03-30 | ||
PCT/JP2016/057908 WO2016158337A1 (en) | 2015-03-30 | 2016-03-14 | Incubator |
Publications (3)
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EP3260529A1 true EP3260529A1 (en) | 2017-12-27 |
EP3260529A4 EP3260529A4 (en) | 2018-02-28 |
EP3260529B1 EP3260529B1 (en) | 2019-01-30 |
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ID=57006701
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP16772220.6A Active EP3260529B1 (en) | 2015-03-30 | 2016-03-14 | Incubator |
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US (2) | US20180016540A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3260529B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP6386164B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN107406812B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2016158337A1 (en) |
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WO2017169850A1 (en) * | 2016-03-28 | 2017-10-05 | パナソニックヘルスケアホールディングス株式会社 | Culture apparatus, and method for controlling culture apparatus |
US20190352594A1 (en) * | 2016-11-10 | 2019-11-21 | Kataoka Corporation | Culture vessel housing apparatus |
US11959060B1 (en) | 2019-05-17 | 2024-04-16 | Humacyte, Inc. | Fluid systems, apparatuses, devices and methods of management thereof for cultivating tissue |
US12104148B1 (en) | 2019-05-17 | 2024-10-01 | Humacyte, Inc. | System, apparatuses, devices and methods for straining a cultivated tissue |
WO2023068061A1 (en) * | 2021-10-22 | 2023-04-27 | Phcホールディングス株式会社 | Cultivation device |
Family Cites Families (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS474296U (en) * | 1971-02-05 | 1972-09-09 | ||
JPH05227942A (en) * | 1992-02-25 | 1993-09-07 | Unie Data:Kk | Apparatus for culturing |
JP3197696B2 (en) | 1993-07-22 | 2001-08-13 | 三洋電機株式会社 | Culture device |
DE4441250C1 (en) * | 1994-11-19 | 1996-04-25 | Binder Peter Michael | Incubator |
US6935567B2 (en) * | 2002-12-09 | 2005-08-30 | Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. | Incubator |
WO2007145198A1 (en) * | 2006-06-16 | 2007-12-21 | Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. | Culture monitoring system |
JP5011488B2 (en) * | 2008-08-27 | 2012-08-29 | パナソニックヘルスケア株式会社 | Incubator |
CN102478340B (en) * | 2010-11-26 | 2015-04-08 | 泰州乐金电子冷机有限公司 | Anti-dewfall heating device and method |
JP5897855B2 (en) * | 2011-09-22 | 2016-04-06 | パナソニックヘルスケアホールディングス株式会社 | Incubator with heater |
CN103672399A (en) * | 2013-12-19 | 2014-03-26 | 常熟市加腾电子设备厂(普通合伙) | Anti-condensation nitrogen gas tank |
CN104932582B (en) * | 2014-04-01 | 2017-03-15 | 中国建筑材料科学研究总院 | A kind of control method for preventing glass condensation frosting |
CN103994506A (en) * | 2014-04-29 | 2014-08-20 | 太仓艺斯高医疗器械科技有限公司 | Constant temperature and humidity device and adjustment method thereof |
-
2016
- 2016-03-14 WO PCT/JP2016/057908 patent/WO2016158337A1/en active Application Filing
- 2016-03-14 CN CN201680016109.1A patent/CN107406812B/en active Active
- 2016-03-14 EP EP16772220.6A patent/EP3260529B1/en active Active
- 2016-03-14 JP JP2017509500A patent/JP6386164B2/en active Active
-
2017
- 2017-09-28 US US15/719,323 patent/US20180016540A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2019
- 2019-03-13 US US16/352,329 patent/US10704020B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
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CN107406812A (en) | 2017-11-28 |
WO2016158337A1 (en) | 2016-10-06 |
US10704020B2 (en) | 2020-07-07 |
EP3260529A4 (en) | 2018-02-28 |
US20180016540A1 (en) | 2018-01-18 |
EP3260529B1 (en) | 2019-01-30 |
CN107406812B (en) | 2020-02-28 |
JPWO2016158337A1 (en) | 2017-11-24 |
US20190211301A1 (en) | 2019-07-11 |
JP6386164B2 (en) | 2018-09-05 |
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